Two rear Juliet balconies at Finsbury Barn, Long Row, Tibenham

“Applicant’s Name: [name withheld] Address Finsbury Barn, Long Row, Tibenham, Norfolk, NR16 1PG Proposal Variation of condition 1 and 4 - windows (inclusion of 2 No Juliet balconies at rear and revision of Juliet balcony at front back to window) of consented permission 2023/1249 (which gave consent for conversion of Agricultural Building to a Dwelling (variation of conditions 2, 5 and 12 of 2018/0143) dated 04 March 2025”

“Condition 1 refers to the approved plans, and this application seeks to change the two north facing windows on the rear elevation from windows to Juliet balconies. It is noted that the previously approved window to the south facing front elevation serving a bedroom is at present built as a Juliet balcony.”

“To the north the building faces directly onto the Public Right of Ways (PRoW) bordering the site beyond which are agricultural fields. There are new residential properties to the east of the site, and existing residential development to the south and west. The barn conversion can be seen from Long Road to the south of the site, in the context of recently constructed dwellings in lieu of agricultural conversions approved under Class Q (2021/2206).”

“The site is situated in the open countryside and is not located within a conservation area. The nearest listed building is Orchard Farmhouse, which is Grade II listed, and lies approximately 90m to the rear of the site accessed via Cherry Tree Road.”

“2020/2324 Notification for Prior Approval for a proposed change of use and associated building works to part of 1 no agricultural building to 2 no dwellinghouses (QA and QB) Approved…”

“2023/3001 Erection of proposed garage and change of use of agricultural land to residential curtilage (retrospective) Approved…”

“The variation of conditions allows for the introduction/ retention of two Juliet balconies located at the north (rear) elevation of the dwellinghouse, replacing two windows. The outlook from this elevation is over farmland, with the nearest neighbouring dwellinghouse on this elevation being some distance away.”

“Overall, the alterations are considered acceptable with regard to design and scale and will not cause harm to the site or the general character and appearance of the area. The application is therefore considered to accord with Policy 3 of the GNLP and Policy DM3.8 and DM4.5 of the SNLP.”

“It is noted that a Juliet balcony currently exists on the front (south) elevation of the dwelling. During the application process, the officer requested amended plans to revert this back to a window, thereby reinstating the approved arrangement in place of the existing Juliet balcony.”

“Concerns have been raised as summarised in Section 4 of this report regarding the balconies and glazing causing visual intrusion and impacting public amenity on the PRoW located immediately north of the approved dwelling. The officer undertook a site visit where they were able to experience the views from the inside of the property, particularly those from the balconies to the rear of the dwellinghouse and from the PRoW.”

“Full-height French doors and projecting balconies oversail the PROW, creating a sense of surveillance and reducing enjoyment of the route. • Contravenes Policy DM 1.4 (Environmental quality and local distinctiveness). • Conversion from single-storey agricultural building to two-storey with balconies alters scale and character. • Visually dominant and oppressive from the PROW; loss of agricultural character. • Breaches Policy DM 3.8 (Design Principles).”

“Additional unauthorised works on PROW • Previous fencing and heat pump installed without consent; attempts to fence off PROW in separate application. • Full-height lobby windows allowed retrospectively despite not being in original permission. • Building completed in 2023; developer repeatedly advised balconies not permitted. • Property marketed for sale and further applications submitted instead of compliance.”

“: Variation of condition 1 and 4 - windows (inclusion of 2 No Juliet balconies at rear and revision of Juliet balcony at front back to window) of consented permission 2023/1249 (which gave consent for conversion of Agricultural Building to a Dwelling (variation of conditions 2, 5 and 12 of 2018/0143) dated 04 March 2025”

“Members voted unanimously for approval with Conditions:”

“In accordance with plans. Boundary treatments to be submitted. Previously undiscovered contamination 4. Window specification details 5. External Materials 6. Construction of vehicular access 7. Provision and retention of parking/turning area. Tree protection and in accordance with AIA 9. Surface water drainage 10. Foul water disposal to sealed system or private treatment plant 11. Windows to be obscure glazed 12.”